Shot sensor hooping device for paintball gun

ABSTRACT

Provided is a shot sensor hooping device for a paintball gun, wherein a shot sensor has an insertion portion and a top end ring. The insertion portion is connected to a receiving hole of a gun body. The shot sensor hooping device includes: a hooping ring disposed above the receiving hole of the gun body; an operation unit disposed on a side of the hooping ring; and a hooped portion disposed between the insertion portion and the top end ring of the shot sensor and corresponding in position to an inner wall of the hooping ring and enclosed therein. The shot sensor hooping device enables the coupling and decoupling of the shot sensor and the gun body to be performed easily and quickly without operating any tool by hand.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the priority of Taiwanese Patent Application No. 101200452, filed Jan. 9, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to shot sensor hooping devices for paintball guns, and more particularly, to a shot sensor hooping device for performing the coupling and decoupling of a shot sensor and a gun body easily and quickly without operating any tool by hand.

2. Description of Related Art

Referring to FIG. 6, Taiwan utility model patent application, which is entitled Paintball Sensor Assembling and Positioning Structure (Application No. 099207818, and Patent No. M389246) and filed by the inventor of the present invention on Apr. 29, 2010, discloses: a shot sensor A corresponds in position to a receiving hole B1 of a gun body B and has an insertion portion A1; a sensing unit C is disposed at an end portion of the insertion portion A1; and the sensing unit C is flanked by an ejecting end C1 and a receiving end C2 which correspond in position to each other.

The aforesaid utility model patent further discloses: to enable the insertion portion A1 of the shot sensor A to enter the receiving hole B1 of the gun body B and be fixed thereto, it is necessary that at least one penetrating hole A4 for penetration by a screwing element A3 is disposed at a top end ring A2 of the shot sensor A, whereas at least one screw hole B2 for meshing with the screwing element A3 is disposed beside the receiving hole B1 of the gun body B and corresponds in position to the penetrating hole A4.

The aforesaid utility model patent further discloses: the sensing unit C is positioned inside the receiving hole B1 as long as the shot sensor A and the gun body B are coupled together; after the paintball gun has been in use for a period of time, dust is likely to accumulate on the ejecting end C1 and the receiving end C2 of the sensing unit C and thereby compromise paintball detection performance.

The removal of dirt from the ejecting end C1 and the receiving end C2 is confronted with the following problems:

1. The removal of dirt entails operating a tool by hand to terminate the meshing relationship between the screwing element A3 and the screw hole B2 before cleansing the ejecting end C1 and the receiving end C2 of the sensing unit C.

2. It is time-consuming and laborious to effectuate the engagement and disengagement between the screwing element A3 and the screw hole B2, whereas the engagement and disengagement between the screwing element A3 and the screw hole B2 is effectuated with a tool and by hand to the detriment of user convenience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of this, some embodiments of the present invention provide a shot sensor hooping device for a paintball gun with a view to overcoming the aforesaid drawback of the prior art, that is, according to the prior art, the coupling and decoupling of a shot sensor and a gun body has to be done with a tool and therefore inconveniently.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a shot sensor hooping device for a paintball gun, wherein a shot sensor has an insertion portion and a top end ring, the insertion portion being connected to a receiving hole of a gun body, the shot sensor hooping device comprising: a hooping ring disposed above the receiving hole of the gun body; an operation unit disposed on a side of the hooping ring; and a hooped portion disposed between the insertion portion and the top end ring of the shot sensor and corresponding in position to an inner wall of the hooping ring and enclosed therein.

The hooping ring is a ring comprising a first protruding portion, a second protruding portion, and a gap. The first protruding portion has a first through hole and an embedding recess integrally formed therewith to form a unitary structure, wherein a via corresponding in position to the first through hole of the first protruding portion is disposed at the second protruding portion, and a screw nut recess is disposed at an outer end of the via. The gap is disposed between the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion.

The operation unit comprises a spanner pad, a pin, a spanner, an axle, and a snap-fit screw nut. The spanner pad is disposed in the embedding recess of the first protruding portion. The spanner pad has therein a second through hole. The pin has an end provided with a thread section. The pin penetrates the second through hole of the spanner pad, the first through hole of the first protruding portion, and the via of the second protruding portion in sequence. The pin has another end provided with a flat section having a third through hole. The spanner has an end portion provided with a notch into which the flat section of the pin inserts and has a fourth through hole perpendicular to the notch. The axle is penetratingly disposed in the fourth through hole of the spanner and the third through hole of the pin. The snap-fit screw nut is disposed in the screw nut recess of the second protruding portion and has therein a screw hole corresponding in position to and meshing with a thread section of the pin.

The diameter of an inner rim of the spanner equals an outer diameter of the hooping ring.

A pivotal connection end of the spanner is of a round shape, and the fourth through hole deviates from the center of the pivotal connection end.

The insertion portion of the shot sensor corresponds in position to the receiving hole of the gun body and is of a non-circular shape.

Some embodiments of the present invention have the following advantages:

1. The shot sensor hooping device features ease of use, because the coupling and decoupling of a shot sensor and a gun body can be performed easily and quickly by operating a spanner, thereby reducing the time and costs spent on coupling the shot sensor to the gun body.

2. The shot sensor hooping device features ease of use, because no tool is required for removing the shot sensor from the gun body, such that a paintball gun user can remove dirt from the ejecting end and receiving end on the two sides of the sensing unit quickly and conveniently.

3. The shot sensor hooping device is advantageously characterized in that the shot sensor and the gun body are positioned and coupled together firmly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a shot sensor and a gun body according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shot sensor and the gun body which are fastened to each other according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the shot sensor and the gun body which are fastened to each other according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the shot sensor and the gun body which are fastened to each other and taken along line Z-Z according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the shot sensor and the gun body which are unfastened from each other and taken along line Z′-Z′ according to the present invention; and

FIG. 6 (prior art) is an exploded view of a conventional shot sensor and a conventional gun body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, there are shown an exploded view and a perspective view of a shot sensor hooping device for a paintball gun according to the present invention. As shown in the diagrams, a shot sensor 5 has an insertion portion 51 and a top end ring 52. The insertion portion 51 is connected to a receiving hole 41 of a gun body 4. The shot sensor hooping device comprises a hooping ring 1, an operation unit 2, and a hooped portion 3.

The hooping ring 1 is disposed above the receiving hole 41 of the gun body 4. The hooping ring 1 is a ring that comprises a first protruding portion 11, a second protruding portion 12, and a gap 13. A first through hole 111 and an embedding recess 112 (shown in FIGS. 3, 4) are disposed at the first protruding portion 11 and integrally formed therewith to form a unitary structure. A via 121 corresponding in position to the first through hole 111 of the first protruding portion 11 is disposed at the second protruding portion 12. A screw nut recess 122 is disposed at an outer end of the via 121. The gap 13 is disposed between the first protruding portion 11 and the second protruding portion 12.

The operation unit 2 comprises a spanner pad 21, a pin 22, a spanner 23, an axle 24, and a snap-fit screw nut 25. The spanner pad 21 is disposed in the embedding recess 112 of the first protruding portion 11. The spanner pad 21 has therein a second through hole 211. A thread section 221 is disposed at one end of the pin 22. The pin 22 penetrates the second through hole 211 of the spanner pad 21, the first through hole 111 of the first protruding portion 11, and the via 121 of the second protruding portion 12 in sequence. A flat section 223 having a third through hole 222 is disposed at the other end of the pin 22. A notch 231 is disposed at an end portion of the spanner 23, such that the flat section 223 of the pin 22 can insert into the notch 231. A fourth through hole 232 is disposed at the spanner 23 and is perpendicular to the notch 231. The diameter of the inner rim of the spanner 23 equals the outer diameter of the hooping ring 1. A pivotal connection end of the spanner 23 is of a round shape. The fourth through hole 232 deviates from the center of the pivotal connection end of the spanner 23. The axle 24 is penetratingly disposed in the fourth through hole 232 of the spanner 23 and the third through hole 222 of the pin 22. The snap-fit screw nut 25 is disposed in the screw nut recess 122 of the second protruding portion 12 and has therein a screw hole 251 (see FIGS. 4, 5) corresponding in position to and meshing with a thread section 221 of the pin 22. The purpose of the snap-fit screw nut 25 is to adjust the tightness of the hooping ring 1 during an assembly process.

The hooped portion 3 is disposed between the non-circular insertion portion 51 and the top end ring 52 of the shot sensor 5. The hooped portion 3 corresponds in position to the inner wall of the hooping ring 1 and is enclosed therein. A sensing unit 6 is disposed at the outer end of the insertion portion 51 of the shot sensor 5. An ejecting end 61 and a receiving end 62 flank the sensing unit 6 and correspond in position to each other.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, an assembly process of the shot sensor hooping device of the present invention comprises the steps of: positioning the spanner pad 21 in the embedding recess 112 of the first protruding portion 11; passing the pin 22 through the second through hole 211 of the spanner pad 21, the first through hole 111 of the first protruding portion 11, and the via 121 of the second protruding portion 12; meshing the pin 22 with the screw hole 251 of the snap-fit screw nut 25; inserting the flat section 223 of the pin 22 into the notch 231 of the spanner 23; passing the axle 24 through the fourth through hole 232 of the spanner 23 and the third through hole 222 of the pin 22 in sequence, so as to finalize the assembly process of the shot sensor hooping device.

Direct insertion of the non-circular insertion portion 51 of the shot sensor 5 into the non-circular receiving hole 41 of the gun body 4 brings about a positioning effect. If the inner wall of the hooping ring 1 is disposed around the hooped portion 3 of the shot sensor 5, and a user actuates the spanner 23 to bend the spanner 23 until the inner curve of the spanner 23 fits the outer rim of the hooping ring 1 (see FIG. 4), the width of the gap 13 between the first protruding portion 11 and the second protruding portion 12 will decrease, because the axle 24 of the spanner 23 is positioned at the eccentric center of the pivotal connection end, and a cam disposed at the pivotal connection end rotates and pushes the first protruding portion 11 toward the second protruding portion 12. As a result, the inner wall of the hooping ring 1 hoops the hooped portion 3 (in a tight-fitting manner), thereby fastening and positioning the shot sensor 5 and the gun body 4 in place.

Referring to FIG. 5, if the user makes the spanner 23 rotate and thereby separates the inner curve of the spanner 23 from the outer rim of the hooping ring 1, the gap 13 between the first protruding portion 11 and the second protruding portion 12 will restore its normal width as a result of the rotation of the cam disposed at the pivotal connection end of the spanner 23. Hence, the inner wall of the hooping ring 1 is disposed around the hooped portion 3 (in a loose manner), and thus the shot sensor 5 can be removed from the receiving hole 41 of the gun body 4 quickly and easily. Therefore, the paintball gun user can conveniently cleanse the ejecting end 61 and the receiving end 62 which flank the sensing unit 6.

The present invention is disclosed above by preferred embodiments. However, persons skilled in the art should understand that the preferred embodiments are illustrative of the present invention only, but should not be interpreted as restrictive of the scope and features of the present invention. All re-inventions based on an invention principle and related technical means of the present invention should fall into the scope of the invention of this application. Therefore, the disclosure contained in the specification and drawings of the present invention is not restrictive of the scope of the implementation of present invention. Hence, all equivalent changes or modifications made by persons skilled in the art to the aforesaid embodiments should fall within the scope of the present invention, provided that they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the legal protection for the present invention should be defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shot sensor hooping device for a paintball gun, wherein a shot sensor has an insertion portion and a top end ring, the insertion portion being connected to a receiving hole of a gun body, the shot sensor hooping device comprising: a hooping ring disposed above the receiving hole of the gun body; an operation unit disposed on a side of the hooping ring; and a hooped portion disposed between the insertion portion and the top end ring of the shot sensor and corresponding in position to an inner wall of the hooping ring and enclosed therein.
 2. The shot sensor hooping device of claim 1, wherein the hooping ring is a ring comprising a first protruding portion, a second protruding portion, and a gap, the first protruding portion having a first through hole and an embedding recess integrally formed therewith to form a unitary structure, wherein a via corresponding in position to the first through hole of the first protruding portion is disposed at the second protruding portion, and a screw nut recess is disposed at an outer end of the via, and the gap being disposed between the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion.
 3. The shot sensor hooping device of claim 2, wherein the operation unit comprises a spanner pad, a pin, a spanner, an axle, and a snap-fit screw nut, the spanner pad being disposed in the embedding recess of the first protruding portion, the spanner pad having therein a second through hole, the pin having an end provided with a thread section, the pin penetrating the second through hole of the spanner pad, the first through hole of the first protruding portion, and the via of the second protruding portion in sequence, the pin having another end provided with a flat section having a third through hole, the spanner having an end portion provided with a notch into which the flat section of the pin inserts and having a fourth through hole perpendicular to the notch, the axle being penetratingly disposed in the fourth through hole of the spanner and the third through hole of the pin, and the snap-fit screw nut being disposed in the screw nut recess of the second protruding portion and having therein a screw hole corresponding in position to and meshing with a thread section of the pin.
 4. The shot sensor hooping device of claim 3, wherein a diameter of an inner rim of the spanner equals an outer diameter of the hooping ring.
 5. The shot sensor hooping device of claim 3, wherein a pivotal connection end of the spanner is of a round shape, and the fourth through hole deviates from a center of the pivotal connection end.
 6. The shot sensor hooping device of claim 1, wherein the insertion portion of the shot sensor corresponds in position to the receiving hole of the gun body and is of a non-circular shape.
 7. A shot sensor for a paintball gun comprising: an insertion portion and a top end ring, the insertion portion configured to insert into to a receiving hole of a paintball gun body, and the top end ring configured to secure a hopper or loader for use with a paintball gun; a hooped portion disposed between the insertion portion and the top end ring of the shot sensor, the hooped portion configured to be received by a corresponding structure of the paintball gun body; a through hole in the insertion portion configured to allow a shot to pass through the insertion portion; and a sensing unit configured to sense a shot passing through the through hole in the insertion portion.
 8. The shot sensor for a paintball gun of claim 7 wherein the receiving hole of a paintball gun body is in communication with a hooping portion configured to substantially secure the shot sensor to the paintball gun.
 9. The shot sensor for a paintball gun of claim 8 wherein the hooping portion comprises a first quick release lever.
 10. The shot sensor for a paintball gun of claim 9 wherein the first quick release lever comprises a first protruding portion, a second protruding portion, and a gap, the first protruding portion having a first through hole and an embedding recess integrally formed therewith to form a unitary structure, wherein a via corresponding in position to the first through hole of the first protruding portion is disposed at the second protruding portion, and a screw nut recess is disposed at an outer end of the via, and the gap being disposed between the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion.
 11. The shot sensor for a paintball gun of claim 7 wherein the insertion portion of the shot sensor corresponds in position to the receiving hole of the gun body and is of a non-circular shape.
 12. The shot sensor for a paintball gun of claim 7 wherein the top end ring comprises a second quick release lever.
 13. The shot sensor for a paintball gun of claim 11 wherein the second quick release lever comprises a first protruding portion, a second protruding portion, and a gap, the first protruding portion having a first through hole and an embedding recess integrally formed therewith to form a unitary structure, wherein a via corresponding in position to the first through hole of the first protruding portion is disposed at the second protruding portion, and a screw nut recess is disposed at an outer end of the via, and the gap being disposed between the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion.
 14. A shot sensor system for a paintball gun comprising: an insertion portion and a top end ring, the insertion portion configured to insert into to a receiving hole of a paintball gun body, and the top end ring configured to secure a hopper or loader for use with a paintball gun; a hooped portion disposed between the insertion portion and the top end ring of the shot sensor, the hooped portion configured to be received by a hooping portion in communication with the receiving hole of the paintball gun body and configured to substantially secure hooped portion to the paintball gun; a through hole in the insertion portion configured to allow a shot to pass through the insertion portion; a sensing unit configured to sense a shot passing through the through hole in the insertion portion.
 15. The shot sensor system of claim 14 wherein the hooping portion comprises a first quick release lever.
 16. The shot sensor system of claim 15 wherein the top end ring comprises a second quick release lever.
 17. The shot sensor system of claim 15 wherein the insertion portion of the gun body is a non-circular shape corresponding to the shape of the receiving hole.
 18. The shot sensor system of claim 15 wherein the first quick release lever comprises a first protruding portion, a second protruding portion, and a gap, the first protruding portion having a first through hole and an embedding recess integrally formed therewith to form a unitary structure, wherein a via corresponding in position to the first through hole of the first protruding portion is disposed at the second protruding portion, and a screw nut recess is disposed at an outer end of the via, and the gap being disposed between the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion.
 19. The shot sensor system of claim 16 wherein the second quick release lever comprises a first protruding portion, a second protruding portion, and a gap, the first protruding portion having a first through hole and an embedding recess integrally formed therewith to form a unitary structure, wherein a via corresponding in position to the first through hole of the first protruding portion is disposed at the second protruding portion, and a screw nut recess is disposed at an outer end of the via, and the gap being disposed between the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion.
 20. The shot sensor system of claim 15 wherein the top end ring comprises a second quick release lever and wherein the second quick release lever comprises a first protruding portion, a second protruding portion, and a gap, the first protruding portion having a first through hole and an embedding recess integrally formed therewith to form a unitary structure, wherein a via corresponding in position to the first through hole of the first protruding portion is disposed at the second protruding portion, and a screw nut recess is disposed at an outer end of the via, and the gap being disposed between the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion. 